NIAMEY, Niger — Islamic extremists from Nigeria attacked a border town inside the neighboring country of Niger, marking the second foreign country attacked by the group known as Boko Haram in several days.

The escalation in violence came as regional leaders meet for a second day in the Cameroonian capital to finalize plans for a coordinated military response to the terror group blamed for killing 10,000 people over the past year.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Boko Haram fighters attacked a town inside Cameroon, leaving nearly 100 people dead and some 500 others wounded, according to Cameroonian officials.

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Abba Hassan, a pharmacist reached in the border town of Bosso, Niger said other Boko Haram militants attacked the community early Friday and that soldiers fought an hour-long battle with them that caused the Boko Haram members to withdraw, leaving the streets deserted.

On 16 January, protests erupted in Niger’s second largest city, Zinder.

It was in response to a cartoon of the Muslim prophet Mohammed on the cover of the latest publication of Charlie Hebdo magazine in France. The protests in Zinder quickly turned violent and then spread to surrounding areas and finally the capital Niamey.

At least 10 people died in the ensuing days of violence, including three Christians who were killed while trapped in churches. Open Doors contacts have counted at least 72 churches that have been destroyed, along with several Christian schools, shops and vehicles owned by believers. Over 30 Christian homes have been looted and burnt. The fighting sent 300 of Zinder’s estimated 700 Christians fleeing, many with just the clothes on their backs.